HB 1616 Charity Care Expansion significantly increases eligibility for full write-offs of out-of-pocket hospital costs, and also expands eligibility for discounts. If this bill is passed, all Washingtonians with incomes below 400% of the federal poverty level, about half of all residents of our state, would be eligible for financial assistance. It would significantly increase access to hospital services for millions of people. For more information about this bill, see the Attorney General’s press release on Expanding Charity Care Act. The bill has already passed in the House and is now working its way through the Senate. Please advocate with your senators as well as those on Senate Ways and Means committee to pass this bill.